Chapter 34 LIKE A SMALL BURNING CANDLE

Chapter 34 LIKE A SMALL BURNING CANDLE
The sound of Brian's steady footsteps walked through the garden of the house, while Athena's heartbeat was still unstable. Her hands gripped the man's shoulders gently, her face hiding in the crook of Brian's neck.

"Brian, you can put me down now," Athena whispered softly, starting to feel uncomfortable.

"Sure," Brian replied as he slowly lowered her, carefully as if he were placing something fragile.

Athena stood up, a little stiff, but there was a faint smile on her face. "Thank you."

They stood in front of the door. Brian reached for the doorknob and opened it for her. But before entering, Athena stared at him for a moment. "You said earlier... you know about Xavier and me?"

Brian stared back, his eyes calm. "Yes. I know more than what I've mentioned, but I won't bring it up again. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

Athena bit her lip, hesitant. "Then, why... why do you still want to marry me?"

Brian took a deep breath. "Because I want to be someone who will never make you feel alone again."

Athena looked at him, her eyes glistening with tears. Not because she was sad—but because the words felt reassuring, catching Athena before she got too caught up in her own fears.

Brian continued, “I don’t care about your relationship with them, but like I said… I want to be the reason you don’t have to worry about them anymore.”

There was a few seconds of silence, then Athena asked in a hoarse voice, “Aren’t you afraid that I won’t be able to love you?”

Brian smiled a little. “Just think of it as my risk, but if you can only love me ten percent… that’s enough.”

Athena chuckled through her sobs, then leaned in and whispered, “I’m afraid… that one day they’ll come and drag me back into that game.”

“If they do, I’ll be the first to stand between them and you.”

Athena sighed, looking at Brian with a sincere gaze, because once again, she felt so safe. Because finally there was someone who wanted to be strong for her.

Brian was about to take Athena to her room, but suddenly Sovia came and suggested that she just stay the night. Brian turned to Athena, asking for her approval. When Athena nodded, she followed Sovia's wishes.

Tonight, although Brian was not the first person to take care of Athena—but the girl began to feel that she could slowly accept his presence. And maybe, just this time Athena dreamed about the future... without Xavier in it.



Morning came, the sunlight woke Athena up. Her eyes opened slowly, feeling a rare calm—at least without fantasizing about Xavier anymore. Her cellphone that Athena put on the nightstand vibrated slowly. There was an incoming message notification from Zara.

Zara: Athena, when are you coming back to campus? Please let me know.

Athena stared at the screen for a few seconds before finally taking a deep breath. Her fingers typed a reply message, slowly and hesitantly.

Athena: I don't know yet, Zara. I just need time.

Zara: I understand, but there are many situations that confuse me. It's about those crazy men.

Zara: Asher is getting more chaotic because he thinks about you, Adrian also insists on meeting you. They don't blame you, Athena. In fact, they feel strange because they don't see you anymore.

Athena stared at the message for a long time. She wanted to reply, but her fingers didn't move. "Why is it different from what Julian said yesterday?" she muttered. "Julian spoke as if their mess was my fault."

Athena's daydream suddenly disappeared along with the sound of a soft knock on the bedroom door.

"Athena?" Brian's voice was heard outside.

"Come in, Brian," she replied, quickly hiding the phone under the blanket.

The door opened slowly, Brian appeared with a tray of toast, fruit, and hot tea. "I didn't know what you liked for breakfast. So, I made what Rod made yesterday."

Athena smiled faintly. "Thank you, Brian."

But Brian's expression slowly changed when he saw Athena's slightly gloomy face. "What's wrong with you? There must be something bothering you." he guessed.

Athena nodded slowly. "Zara contacted me, and asked when I would return. She said Asher and Adrian were worried about me."

Brian sat on the side of the bed, listening to Athena without wanting to refute her.

“I know, I won’t be able to avoid them forever, but I’m not ready to meet them either. Especially if Auree is here… ah, I feel like I want to change my face!” Athena said a little annoyed.

Brian stroked Athena’s head, smoothing her curly brown hair with his fingers. “It seems you still doubt my seriousness, Athena…”

Athena looked up slightly, looking at Brian and his sweet treatment that made her feel calm.

“If you waver, I will be your reminder. I will be the first person to stand in front of you, and if necessary, I will pull you away if they hurt you again.”

Athena fell silent, reading Brian’s gaze that only contained sincerity from every word he said. She held Brian’s hand tighter, remembering the same plan that had once crossed her mind.

Athena did intend to ask Brian to accompany her when she returned to Westbrook. At least this way, she wouldn’t have to hesitate to face people’s stares and sneers. Moreover… news about her arranged marriage with Brian had spread there.

Brian left Athena in the room, telling her to finish her breakfast and also giving her a chance to think more.

After breakfast and shower, Athena sat back on the bed. Her phone was still lying on the blanket. With all the courage for the decision she had really thought about, she finally typed a reply to Zara.

Athena: I will be back, Zara, but not now. I am still at home now, and I am not ready to tell you anything even though you may already know about my situation here.

The message was sent. However, before she had time to put her phone back down, Zara replied quickly.

Zara: Okay, Athena... I am so glad you gave me this news. I will keep your privacy, you don't need to worry. I will listen to all your stories when you are ready to tell me.

Athena stared at the screen for a long time, her hand moving to fan her eyes that felt hot.

Just then, there was another knock on the door, but it was not Brian—it was Rod who said from outside, "Mr. Brian is waiting in the back garden, Miss Athena."

He stood up slowly, tidied his hair as needed, then left the room. When she arrived at the park, she found Brian sitting on a stone bench under a large tree, reading something on his tablet.

Athena walked slowly, and when Brian noticed her presence, he immediately stood up and greeted her with a gentle smile. “You look calmer now,” she said.

“I’ve replied to Zara’s message,” Athena said, sitting beside him. “I said I’d be back, but not now.”

Brian nodded. “That’s a big step. You don’t have to rush, Athena.”

Athena held Brian’s hand, quite tightly. “You won’t leave me, right? I’m really not ready to be criticized on campus.”

Brian turned his body to face Athena completely, with a warm smile, he said, “I promise, you’ll be the coolest girl on campus. No one will criticize you later.”

Athena smiled faintly, and this time without hesitation she leaned her head on Brian’s shoulder. “I don’t know why I feel hesitant… but you seem to think this is no big deal.”

Brian didn’t answer with words. He just hugged Athena’s shoulder with one of his arms. There was a long silence between the two of them, until Brian said, “I rented an apartment.”

Athena’s brow furrowed. “Rent? For what?”

Brian showed her his tablet. “When you get back to campus, I’ll be staying here...”

Athena stared at Brian, her mouth open, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Her heart was filled with gratitude that came with worry.